- 1). Contact a university demographic research institution such as the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin to locate or obtain population density data and grid maps. You'll need to know the years and regions for the data request. Check to see if research is free for the asking or performed on a fee basis. Note that not all research centers may have the resources to accommodate your specific request. Another option is to go online to the U.S. Census Bureau and check out their mapping tools and publicly available population data.
- 2). Select census data tools such as thematic maps to view map grids of populations across the U.S. You can choose what size grid to use in order to view population totals. Selection ranges from a bird's-eye view of the entire continental U.S. all the way down to street level population data. Grids are arranged geographically with directional markers that rotate north, south, east and west. As you zoom in to look at progressively smaller grid areas, the map will indicate the approximate distance across each block grid.
- 3). Look at legends associated with data maps that can help you interpret how to read them. Map grids represent data from census tracts, such as blocks, counties, states and divisions, and are designated by state, county, metropolitan area, congressional district or zip code. Legends show data classes and numbers of persons per square mile. Maps are color coded so you can visibly see boundaries of census tracts within the map grid. You'll need to zoom in or out, or switch to another map location in order to find the correct corresponding population density figures that you seek.
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